Korean J Dermatol.  1984 Apr;22(2):214-219.

Comparative Study between Clinical Morphology and Histopathology in Nevus Flammeus

• Kim SH

Abstract

Nevus flammeus is benign but cosmetically devastating congenital vascular malformation whose past treaments have been marred by unacceptable complication or by unacceptable ineffectiveness. Argon laser is a therapeutic device which has been newly applied to this condition with fairly good result. However, all lesions do not show good response and it depends on the clinical and histopathological types. Therefore, it is very important to select patients who will show good response to argon laser therapy. Histological pattern was indicated as the most important prognostic factor. However, it is not always possible to get the histological data. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether it is possible to anticipate histologic patterns of nevus flammeus from color and clinical morphology of the lesions when biopsy is difficult to be taken. Color and clinical morphology of the lesions were recorded, and 4-mm punch biopsies were performed in 74 patients who visited the Laser Clinic in our dermatologic department during past 2 years, The study results were as follows. Eleven pink cases were all patch form morphologically but 8 cases(72, 7%) were constricted type and 8 cases(27 Q%) were intermediate type histopathologically. In 28 red cases, 27 cases(96 4gp) were patch form and only 1 case was smooth elevated form morphologically. And 2p cases(74, l%) were dilated or intermediate type and 7 cases(25 9%) were constricted or deep located type histologically.

MeSH Terms

Argon
Biopsy
Humans
Laser Therapy
Nevus*
Port-Wine Stain*
Vascular Malformations
Argon